leadership

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Tom Buttgenbach, Ph.D.
President & Founder

Tom is President and Founder of 1st Avenue Capital. Tom is also President and CEO of 8minute Solar Energy. Serving in these capacities, he brings over 20 years of executive management experience in large-scale project development, and has led transactions totaling over $5 billion. Previously, Tom was a successful entrepreneur and real estate developer. He also worked at McKinsey & Company in Europe and America. Tom holds a dual Ph.D. in physics and astronomy from the California Institute of Technology (CalTech).

​8minute Solar Energy:

Tom founded 8minute Solar Energy (formerly 8minutenergy Renewables) a decade ago, which is now the largest privately-held solar and storage developer in the country with a portfolio of over 18 gigawatts of solar + storage projects. Focused on greenfield development, the company has developed the largest solar plant in the nation, currently holds the record for the lowest-price solar project in America, and has a track record of delivering above-market profitability and strong financial returns.